16 Jun 2020

Southern Response in court contesting class action

From Checkpoint, 6:18 pm on 16 June 2020

Southern Response is back in court today - this time having a final go at arguing that a class action against it should not be an 'opt-out'.

Christchurch residents Brendan and Colleen Ross say the state insurer deliberately withheld the true cost of repairing their home which was damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes.

They are now among 3000 people represented in a class action led by Christchurch lawyer Grant Cameron.

In September last year the Court of Appeal decided the class action could proceed on an 'opt-out' basis - which means it would cover more people and potentially cost the state-owned insurer more money if it loses.

Southern Response is challenging that decision in the Supreme Court, a two day hearing wrapped up on Tuesday.

Checkpoint reporter Logan Church was there.